France has far more to offer than a stop in Paris. Beyond the usual travel route, you can find Roman arenas, bright seaside streets, quiet canals, and markets full of local treats.
Some of these cities are well known, but travelers often skip them when planning a first trip. Give them a little time, and they might become your favorite part of France.
1. Lyon: Secret Passageways and Memorable Meals
Behind an ordinary doorway, Lyon might hide a passage linking entire streets. These historic routes, called traboules, add mystery to Vieux Lyon, where Renaissance buildings crowd narrow lanes.
Join a guided walk to find passages open to visitors without disturbing residents. Afterward, try a traditional bouchon restaurant, then climb toward Fourvière for Roman theaters and wide city views.
Film fans should also visit the Institut Lumière, which celebrates the pioneering brothers and their early movie experiments.
2. Marseille: A Port with Real Personality
Salt air, fishing boats, and busy café terraces give Marseille an energy all its own. Start around the Vieux-Port, then wander into Le Panier, where steep streets reveal murals and small shops.
For sweeping sea views, head up to Notre-Dame de la Garde. Wear sturdy shoes if exploring the nearby Calanques, and check access rules before leaving: summer fire risks can close trails.
Back in town, Palais Longchamp offers a grand change of scenery and pace.
3. Bordeaux: Riverside Beauty Beyond the Vineyards
A shallow sheet of water turns elegant buildings into a giant reflection at Bordeaux’s Miroir d’eau. When operating, this riverside feature draws photographers and families, especially as the evening light softens.
Follow the Garonne on foot before exploring the old center’s limestone streets. Wine lovers can visit La Cité du Vin, but there is plenty here without tastings.
Pick up a canelé, the city’s caramelized pastry, and use trams when your feet need a welcome break.
4. Nîmes: Roman History You Can Walk Through
Nearly two thousand years have passed, yet the Roman arena still commands attention in Nîmes. Its stone arches make ancient history feel surprisingly close, especially when you step inside.
Pair the arena with the Maison Carrée, a remarkably preserved Roman temple. Later, seek shade in the Jardins de la Fontaine before climbing toward the Tour Magne.
Summer afternoons can be hot, so carry water and save longer walks for the cooler hours of morning or evening.
5. Annecy: Canals with an Alpine Backdrop
Clear canal water slips past pastel houses while mountain peaks rise beyond the rooftops. Annecy brings together an old town and a lake that practically begs you to slow down.
Begin near the Palais de l’Île, then follow the waterfront toward the Jardins de l’Europe. Rent a bicycle for part of the lakeside route, choosing a distance that suits your group.
Early starts help avoid busy streets, especially during summer weekends when visitors arrive in numbers.
6. Colmar: Colorful Streets Worth Getting Lost In
Every corner seems ready for a postcard in Colmar, but the pleasure lies in noticing smaller details. Look for carved wooden beams, flower boxes, and crooked rooflines around Petite Venise.
French and German influences meet in the buildings and regional food. Try tarte flambée, a thin base topped with cream, onions, and bacon.
Arrive early for quieter canal views, then step beyond the busiest lanes to find peaceful squares and shops selling local crafts and specialties.
7. Aix-en-Provence: Fountains Set the Pace
Listen closely between café conversations, and you will hear water splashing through Aix’s many fountains. The city rewards an unhurried morning, with shaded squares and warm stone buildings around each turn.
Walk along Cours Mirabeau before exploring smaller streets near the Four Dolphins fountain. Market schedules vary, so check locally before planning your shopping.
Art lovers can seek out places linked to Paul Cézanne, while hungry travelers should sample calissons, the almond sweets associated with the city.
8. Rouen: Gothic Towers and Medieval Lanes
Claude Monet painted Rouen’s cathedral again and again as changing light transformed its stone face. Stand outside for a few minutes, and you can understand the fascination.
Beyond the cathedral, timbered houses line streets leading toward the Gros-Horloge, an ornate astronomical clock. Visit the Historial Jeanne d’Arc for a thoughtful introduction to Joan of Arc’s story.
Comfortable shoes help on uneven paving, and a light raincoat is a sensible companion for exploring Normandy in changeable weather.
9. Avignon: A Mighty Palace Behind the Walls
Few buildings make you feel as small as the Palais des Papes. Its enormous stone walls recall the years when popes made Avignon a center of religious power.
Allow enough time for the palace rather than squeezing it between meals. Afterward, walk toward the famous broken bridge and enjoy river views from the Rocher des Doms gardens.
July brings major theater festivals and larger crowds, so book accommodation early if your visit falls during that period.
10. Nice: Look Beyond the Famous Seafront
Beach views may bring you to Nice, but the old town gives you reasons to linger. Narrow lanes open onto lively squares, while shops tempt passersby with olives and local snacks.
Try socca, a thin chickpea pancake, before walking along the Promenade des Anglais. The beaches are pebbly, so water shoes can make swimming more comfortable.
For a memorable panorama, head to Castle Hill and look across the curved bay toward the mountains beyond the city.
11. Antibes: Sea Walls and an Artist’s View
Along the old ramparts, waves and stone walls frame a quieter side of the Riviera. Antibes feels especially inviting when you leave the marina behind and enter its compact historic center.
Browse the covered Provençal market, checking opening hours before you go. The Picasso Museum occupies the Château Grimaldi and pairs art with a striking coastal setting.
If you want a longer outing, explore a section of the Cap d’Antibes coastal path in suitable walking shoes.
12. Menton: Citrus Colors Near the Italian Border
Lemon yellow seems to belong everywhere in Menton, from sunny buildings to displays celebrating its famous citrus fruit. Near the Italian border, the town mixes seaside ease with steep old streets.
Climb toward the basilica for lovely rooftop views, taking breaks on the stairs. Garden lovers should check visiting arrangements for the area’s botanical gardens.
The Lemon Festival usually takes place in late winter, but confirm dates and reserve ahead if you hope to attend events.
13. Troyes: Timbered Houses with Plenty of Character
Some houses in Troyes lean so playfully that the streets seem borrowed from an illustrated storybook. Their exposed wooden frames make a simple walk through the old center feel like an architectural treasure hunt.
Look beyond the façades to discover churches known for stained glass. The Cité du Vitrail offers more context about this colorful craft.
A day trip works well, but staying overnight gives you time to enjoy calmer lanes after daytime visitors head home.
14. Nantes: Where History Meets Giant Machines
A giant mechanical elephant is not what most people expect from a French city break. In Nantes, imaginative engineering shares the stage with castle walls, riverside walks, and reminders of its shipbuilding past.
Check schedules and ticket options for Les Machines de l’île before arriving. Then explore the Château des Ducs de Bretagne and its history museum.
For a fuller picture of the city, visit the riverside memorial addressing Nantes’s role in the Atlantic slave trade.
15. Laon: A Hilltop Reward Above the Plains
High above the surrounding plains, Laon’s cathedral announces the city long before you reach its old streets. The hilltop setting gives even a short visit a sense of arrival.
Study the cathedral’s carved details, including the stone oxen on its towers, then wander along the ramparts for countryside views. Expect slopes and uneven lanes, particularly if walking from the railway station.
Check local transport options beforehand if climbing is difficult, and leave time for café stops.